My Imaginary Lesbian Friend

Riley heads to the bathroom ready to crash for the night. She catches her own stare in the mirror, waiting on pins and needles for her hidden thrill, Carter Cruise, to pop up. No one else knows, but Riley found somebody different and dangerous, somebody only she can see. Whenever she’s solo, this tug drags her to every shiny glass around the house, and once in a while Carter shows, smiling from the other side. Tonight the heat in her chest flares hard; all Riley can picture is tasting those lips, yet she never gets close. She peeks at her reflection and feels her stomach drop—maybe Carter’s gone for good—then lifts her eyes again and there she is, right there, eyes locked on her. Riley flicks her tongue, Carter fires back, and Riley laughs, admitting how long it’s been and how she aches for her. Carter swears she’s never left. Riley blurts that she needs that kiss, so she leans in, but Carter vanishes and all that’s left is cold glass. Pissed off, she spins toward the bedroom only to catch Carter’s grin again. Carter eggs her on—“try one more time”—so Riley dives forward, arms crashing around warm skin, bodies sliding together at last.